urpose, were treading the
Ottoman encampment, under the guidance of the messengers to whom they
had been consigned.

It is hardly necessary to inform the reader that these females were the
elder Signora Francatelli and her beautiful niece Flora.

Their sudden and most unexpected deliverance from the terrible dungeons
of the inquisition, and the profound respect with which they were
treated by those into whose charge the familiars of the holy office had
surrendered them, inspired them with the most lively joy; and their
congratulations were expressed by frequent pressures of each other's
hands as they proceeded in company with their guides. But they knew not
by whom, or how, nor wherefore they had been released--and yet a vague
suspicion, founded solely on the fact that their conductors wore the
Ottoman garb, that Alessandro must be in some way connected with the
matter, had entered their minds. It was, at all events, clear that no
harm was intended them, for they were not treated as prisoners, and thus
they hastened on in confidence and hope.

It was not until they had left the city some distance behind, that the
bright moon showed them a confused mass of white objects in front; and
they were both marveling what the strange and unknown spectacle could
be, when their party was suddenly challenged by the sentries of an
outpost. The leader of the little escort gave the watchword; and now, as
the two females drew nearer to the encampment, the mass of white objects
became more shapely, until, in a few minutes, the pointed tops of the
tents and pavilions stood out in strong relief against the now purple
sky.

What could this unusual spectacle mean? They were still in the dungeons
of the inquisition when the alarm, caused by an approaching army, had
circulated through Florence; and the rumor had not reached their ears.
For the first time since the moment of their release they now hung back,
and manifested signs of fear.

"Be not terrified, ladies," said the chief of the escort, speaking in
excellent Italian; "ye have no cause for apprehension! Before you spread
the innumerable tents of the Ottoman army; and it is to the presence of
this mighty host that ye are indebted for your freedom."

"But whither are you taking us?" inquired Flora, scarcely reassured.

"To the pavilion of his Highness, Ibrahim-Pasha, the grand vizier of the
glorious Sultan Solyman," answered the Turk; "and at the hands of that
powerful minister ye